The Novice Survivalist
A novice outdoorsmen learning camping, fishing, bushcraft and survival. "KNOWLEDGE IS A SURVIVAL SKILL"
Sun and Snow Lunch with the Animals
Today was a good, No a great day. Finally some sunshine and a hint of the end of winter here in Minnesota. Well I hope it so !.
As soon as I confirmed what I was seeing outside ( Checked weather forecast on my mobile phone app). I grabbed my “stuff’. And hit the road to my favorite haunt for a Sun and Snow walkabout.
Little did I know I would be sharing this time with others. No not humans. Surprisingly I was alone in that aspect. I mean the birds and animals were out with the same thoughts as me, and in force. Ducks, Woodpeckers, Egrets, Geese, Crows, Squirrels, Rabbits and even a close encounter with a deer. The whole gambit.
I have been working on putting together a Day Pack for my summer fly-fishing adventures I have planned. As per normal I over did it. However I was determined to test it out (A dry run per say) before I actually get out and wet a fly.
Needless to say… to big, to heavy, not comfortable etc. . etc. . I was not surprised . I had those thoughts before I even got this chance. But had to try it out and get an Idea of what needs to change. Some thing the novice survivalist should consider when planning a trip, Bug out bag etc. . When done, test it outdoors. You will soon find out what’s good and what’s not.
But that was not the point of this post. Although it was relevant to the day planned.
So there I was, Rearing to get outdoors. I had prepared a little lunch to take along and cook outdoors. This is becoming a favorite “thing” for me, when going walkabout. I’m considering putting together a list of meals I can try outdoors with minimal kitchen supplies.
I arrived at the parking lot at the Cannon River Wilderness Area County Park, Here in the Northfield/Dundas area. (I go out there a lot for some quick outdoors fixes, when time permits). Put on my boot chains, (Still a little icy), and grabbed the pack and headed for the Cannon River.
First thing I became aware of was the abundance of birds, fresh Rabbit and Squirrel tracks in the still pristine snow. Then I saw the VERY fresh Deer tracks. Which just happened to be going in the same direction I was. I followed them to the river edge. Then they disappeared!. I looked about and saw nothing of the deer. Or so I thought. I was busy making a video for my YouTube channel to share this glorious day, when I noticed something twitch in the view through my camera on my phone.
It just looked like another rock or large tree trunk in the snow. On closer inspection, from about 20 feet away, it was that close, was a deer lying in the snow. In the sun. What Joy!. I didn’t want to disturb it, so I just stood and watched it. It did not see me for a good 5 minutes. Then got up and trotted off in the opposite direction along the river bank.
After watching the birds flitting about and the squirrels playing chase in the snow. I set out to find a spot to prepare the lunch I packed. 30 minutes later, bingo. The perfect spot on the edge of the river.
So set up my camp kitchen, and cooked a magnificent lunch.
Lunch consisted of Potatoes cut into small cubes. pre-boiled. sprinkled with some Mrs. Dash, Garlic and herb salt free spices. I used my pocket rocket gas stove and Sea to Summit pan and grilled onions, peppers and some mushroom in Olive oil. Added the potatoes and browned them up. Lunch, very tasty. Sat down enjoyed the meal while watching nature romp and flitter by.
Time was flying by and after making a short review video (FROGG TOGGS poncho). I reluctantly packed up and headed back home.
We often find ourselves complaining of the Snow, Ice and cold here. Me included, but then you have a day such as this. I am glad I caught it on video, I cannot wait to share it with my friends and family. I’ll be posting it on my channel soon. Ill add the link on my Video and reference page.
Be sure to stop back and watch a Lunch in the snow with nature all about.
Remember knowledge is a survival skill. Go outdoors and enjoy it, while knowing your knowledge you have gained, has you better prepared.
The Novice Survivalist
Another survival skill…Optimism!!
Hello all. Well here I am at the “puter” again. Its 10pm Friday night and I had plans for first thing tomorrow. I have spent this week prepping.
- I got a hair cut. (No not for this outdoors adventure I had planned . Just needed one.)
- Bought groceries. (The old beater fridgeadaire was empty)
- Did my weekly laundry! (Except my favorite lazy home outfit)
- Brushed my teeth at least three times a day!
- Went through my fly-fishing kit and checked I have everything
- Packed it into my day pack
- Made snacks and drink preparations
- Got my Favorite summer fishing hat out (my Tilly).
- Dusted off said Tilly…(never wash it as that may break the streak I have going from last summer)
- Looked at the weather forecast for the weekend. (See below)
- Woke up shaking and blubbering in the corner of my Kitchen.
- Washed the dried tears off of my face.
- Got up and put all away, Except the laundry…just to depressed to do that.
- Dug the “lazy home outfit” out of the dirty laundry basket and put it on.!
- Got on the “puter” started 37 blogs! deleted all…
So here I sit…..
Ok I exaggerated a bit.
I only brushed my teeth twice a day and did shower…I think. I just don’t want to look back at all the preparing I did for Naught.
So what to do, what to do. Depressed …Ah! wait ….make a favorite meal…
- Chopped up Onions, Pepper (Orange one), tomatoes, Mushrooms and Potatoes. (Cut my finger)
- Boiled the potatoes. Grilled the onions, pepper and mushroom. Added peas and cauliflower. Mixed together.
- Added Pataks Tikka Masala curry sauce (Medium heat).
- Made some white rice
- Chopped up a fresh tomato and some onion, soaked it in Vinegar, added Pepper.
- Got the Pataks Sweet Mango Chutney out.
- Looked for the bananas I bought …lost some where.
- Made a plate of it. (less the banana)
- Ate it……
Tikka Masala Curry
Now I feel a little better. Thank goodness I made a lot. As I can see I will be eating a plate a day for the next 3 days…….
Wondering why I am so all Ahooo. Well the weather report of course.
I forgot, I now reside in Minnesota. I was absolutely convinced that spring/summer has finally won the battle. 2 Days ago I was out and about, walkabouting celebrating my “second anniversary of my second chance at life”. It was a very nice 50 deg. No wind, and very little clouds. Obviously gave me a false sense of security. BAM!
Winter storm warning..
Just great……..
But hey! for me, I can bundle up, Stay home, Write my blogs, Watch soccer, Work on a review video for my YouTube channel, Surf the web for a new fishing day pack. post to my Face Book page, Relax, Nap and maybe, Just maybe,
Wash my Tilly Hat (No, just cannot take that chance).
Wash my lazy home outfit. Nope! the neighbors frown on people doing their laundry naked and nobody wants that.
So here I am……. surviving. If you think about it. I’m practicing survival skills.
- Preparation
- Food for moral,
- Dealing with a difficult situation and
- Knowledge…
Till next weekends better weather…
Another survival skill…optimism!!
Remember, Knowledge is a survival skill!
The Optimistic Novice Survivalist.
A good day to be here
via A Red letter day, Another year…
Another reason to celebrate
A Red letter day, Another year…
Whoooot Tooot. !!!!!!!. Another milestone for me.
As most of you are aware, I am a triple bypass heart surgery survivor. On April 11th, 2016, I underwent the surgery after problems were discovered during a routine annual medical check up. Today I celebrate my second anniversary, “Of my second chance at life.”
After the surgery I was advised to change my life style. Food, exercise and mental health included. I made that decision and have since tried to live by it to the best of my ability.
The big change was my personal life style. I went “back to the bush”. I have spent every single free minute outdoors. My biggest medicine. Changed to a almost meat free diet, mainly vegetable and fruit. with some boneless skinless chicken, tuna or a pork chop, once or twice a month to keep the Anemia at bay. I have lost 65lbs,
and gained a wealth of knowledge of the outdoors. Made 195 videos of my second chance, Met new friends from this blog and my YouTube channel ( 2nd Chance George)
All this has been possible because of the unwavering support of my family. Who stood by from the moment I left the operating theater. My 2 girls, Big Sister, Brother and their families, Long time friends, All put up with my new shenanigan’s. Bless them all. Of course my other adopted family here in Minnesota. (They know who they are).
Well how will I celebrate?. 
Yep you guessed it. A quick favorite salad (fresh avocado and tomato drizzled with Balsamic Vinegar). Grab my day pack, fly fishing setup and heading outdoors. (I am working on a fishing daypack…lol. It will have all I need to pickup and go Fly-fish….).
Spring in Minnesota is finally winning the battle against winter.
So here’s to more extra time, See you out there
Remember Knowledge is a survival skill!
The Novice survivalist (2nd Change George)
The Ultimate Goal.Something to consider
Some thoughts on what to consider when out and about. Click the link to read about them
What a find and by accident….read on
via Afton State Park. MN. Planning my Walkabout and Scout
What joy to find a place close to home full of surprises for the outdoors enthusiast
Afton State Park. MN. Planning my Walkabout and Scout
Yes its time to get outdoors again. Its been awhile for a camp out. Desperately need some nature selftime. So hit the internet and looked for a place to visit. I went straight to my favorite search website. The magnificent Minnesota DNR.
They have a complete list of all camping opportunities, including separate websites for each location.(Right now I am working my way through the website, I think I have a unconscious plan to visit each, State Park, then of course there is the State forrests, National forrests, the…ok back to the search) Each separate site having more information then you can shake a stick at!. Even if you do not reside in Minnesota, you can use this a as great resource for camping and the outdoors if you decide to visit. A word of warning….they have ALOT of places to visit for all interests. Prepare to spend some time on the site.
Back to the search and planning a trip. I have yet to decide what I will be doing. First just browse the website (MN DNR) looking for places that catch my interest. I like to walk in or Boat in camp. Ha! yes they have a link for you to search that specific interest. I’m pretty sure they have a type of camping you enjoy, so try searching that.
I came across this little gem about an hour from home.
Afton State Park. Mn.
The Camp grounds offer walk in and boat in options. First things first are they open year round.
What are the restrictions if any and cost. A quick look at reviews, camp ground maps and any pictures they offer. The link for directions, using either Google maps or Bing maps. From that I now have an idea where it is and how far.
Once I have decided this is the place I want to go. I start some research. As you know I solo camp. Safety is of utmost importance for me. As it should be for all outdoors enthusiasts. The research is fairly basic, using both Google (search and Google Earth pro) and Bing. I look for things said or shown that may be of concern. (See previous blog). Satisfied there are no “issues”. I then start planning “What, When and Where” I want to do there. One thing I like to do if possible is go out and do a quick walkabout and scout. This is about an hour from home so just might do that. Always looking for an excuse… to get out and about. This “kills two birds with one stone”..so to say. I get a look at the area, and get outdoors. PERFECT!
See how that works. Two trips outdoors already planned. The joy. So time to grab the walkabout / daypack.
Check to see all I need is in there. Grab the map downloaded from their website (DNR), and off I go.
The Walkabout and Scout.
As per Google driving directions, they gave me a couple options. As per Me, I chose the back roads route. I never miss a opportunity to see rural Minnesota. You just never know what you may see or find.
Well. What can I say. Wonderful State Park. Everything a Park should have. Camping, Hiking, Horse back riding, Picnic, Fishing and Boat in camping and YURTS……. Oh don’t forget the hills and valleys, Bird watching, game viewing, snow activities and lots more. Just about everything the outdoor enthusiast could ask for. And about an hours drive from the Twin Cities !!. No wonder its so popular.
Arriving I went to the interactive center and picked up a map of the park. Read it carefully and set off on my walkabout and scout. I did about 4 miles and took a couple pictures and some video. OK a lot of pictures and a lot of video. The hiking trails are numerous and varied in all ways. Something for all types of hikers ( Easy, medium or Hard). 2 or 3 Campsites, Yurts, cabins and Group. Plus a walk-in uphill hike to the wonderful 27 site camp for tent etc. Horse back riding is popular in summer, Boating, fishing and swimming are some other options. For me, I headed straight for the walk-in camp site, or should I say straight up to the campsite. Be prepared this is quite a hike and all uphill. But well worth it for me, everything I hoped for.
Here is some pictures for your viewing pleasure. (Smiling). or SEE THE VIDEO FROM MY YOU TUBE CHANNEL.
So there it is, a peek at Afton State Park, Washington County, Minnesota.
If you get the chance GO!. Well worth a visit. I will be heading back. Time to camp.
And that’s a quick, how I plan my trips outdoors, whether camping, hiking, kayaking or walk about and Scouting. What am I trying to say. Well, If you are a survivalist (Novice or not) Plan. If you don’t have a regular plan to follow for any survival situation, Its time to put one together. It does not have to be fancy, have a method and tweak it as you use it.
Want to know more, sign up and You get an alert when I post to my blog and (BONUS !!!)when the Video is up on my You tube Channel. You can also go to the reference page and see the videos I have posted there.
Summer time is coming and we all get to go outdoors. Remember to be safe, plan you will enjoy your time more. I promise.
As always…….
Knowledge is a survival Skill…. Planning and research included
The Novice Survivalist.
Knowledge is a Survival Skill !
Recently I was going through comments posted from my you-tube channel. I had posted a 2 minute tip video, Something I try to do on a weekly basis. With medium success. Its not easy for me to come up with these but they have been fairly popular on the whole.
Maybe because I cannot hold someone’s attention longer than 2 minutes .What can I say. Concerning to say the least. But that’s not the reason for this post.
The 2 minute video was on prepping for the new season. I had said that “Sharpening your knifes and your mind” is something we should all do. A subscriber commented that that was a great idea. Not the sharpening your knife, but the sharpening your mind. That got me thinking about something else I tend to do on all my blog posts.
I try to end all my blogs with the words “KNOWLEDGE IS A SURVIVAL SKILL”. Its actually something I practice, not just preach. I truly believe that. As you are aware, this blog I have created was to help me gain more knowledge and skills about survival in the outdoors. Or any other scenario that may arise. First of all I am not a “dooms day” or “apocalypse preacher”.
I am simply a person who finds himself often outdoors alone, And have concerns about surviving a personal disaster, Or a natural disaster. I just want to be as prepared as possible, So I can get home or to safe haven, Should something happen. Another question I am asked is “With what and how do I protect myself when outdoors alone?.” Against animals or even unwanted “near do wells” I should encounter while out there on my own.
I do not carry a gun. Its just a personal choice I decided on when I started going solo outdoors. It is a choice each of us must make and live by it. If you carry a gun, good for you. Just make sure you are knowledgeable in the use, care and laws of owning one. Its just not my choice to carry one. To be honest I am a “Nervous Nelly”. Yes I admit it. Because of that I chose not to ” Carry”. I do have a axe, and number of knives , But that’s it.
Well no, That’s not true!, I do have something else. KNOWLEDGE. I am a planner by nature as I have said before. For me planning is the number one defense for me. My Planning involves many things I consider. Here is a quick look at my planning process.
What do I want to do and Where am I going to do it and how long.
Will I be camping, Tent, Tarp or hammock. How long. And the obvious where will I be going. Once I make the choices, I can now start to research. Where possible I try to do a walkabout and scout of the area I intend to go. I also use Google maps, Google earth pro to look at the area. Not the best but at least I have a fairly good Idea of the area. I use the internet a lot, to find any reviews or information on the area. Local State forestry departments or here in Minnesota the DNR ( Department of Natural Resources) has some good information.
Weather.
Especially here in Minnesota. Weather is my number one concern. Winter means temperate, snow ice etc. For those of you who do not live in a 4 season state, do not overlook this. For me it means what clothing and type of camping I will be doing. Also food and other camping items to suit. Yes I have a list for that.
Safety.
When looking and gathering information about the area I intend to go, I look for any “signs of concern”. Things like people posting car break ins, noisy or unruly neighbor’s. Park ranger activity. Are they present and active. You will be surprised of what information is out there. From this I can get a reasonable idea of people concerns. 
The ranger stations and websites will give out information of animal concerns etc. If I have concerns that really worry me . I don’t go. That’s it. But to be honest. It would have to be really bad for that to happen. I tend to keep to myself when out doors. Not just from people but known bad “animal areas”. In reality there is no way to predict everything. You go out alone you take your chances.
Friends and family.
I always make a point of letting family and friends know I am going out. My family knows where, when and how long I am going for. I let them know when I leave and always let them know I’m back. They have a “window of concern”. Basically if they do not hear from me, to contact me first, if unable to, then the local authorities. I will have told them the necessary information.
Lists.
I have lists, both written and in my mind. they include food, camping equipment, transport, time table, maps, clothing and survival/emergency bag. They also include the type of season list. AND knowing how to use what I take.
That is basically it. Being prepared is a knowledge game. Know your area, know your limitations, know your skill levels, Know your ….. and it goes on.
Simply put.
KNOWLEDGE IS A SURVIVAL SKILL !
Be safe out there
The Novice Survivalist
The Novice Survivalist 